The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-01-20
A. STRANAHAN.
AUSTIN, January II, 1887.

AACoAiNS VuiluuAJ AA1 AOC''
| [. A. Stranahai, Laredo, Texas:
DEAR SIR:-Fhis Office received by ex-
press the record book containing part
of the diplomatic correspondence of the
republic of Texas, in the years 1874 and
1915, which you allude to in your com
nunication of the 7th inst. as having been
forwarded as a gift from yourself to the
historical archives of the state.
1t must be source of satisfaction to
you to haze been the means of rescuing
from destruction this interesting and val
liable record of an important epoch in
the history of the republic of Texas.
The book will be deposited in historical
archive, together with your letter of pre-
sentation, and will serve the useful pur
pose of contributing to the true history
of the circumstances connected with the
annexation of Texas to the United States.
Thanking you for this important SER
vice, have the honor to be
Yours Truly,
III. p. BEE.
1t would be good idea for all these
old records to be gathered into safe re-
ceptacle, and Gen. Bees answer shows how
he views the matter.
In the com ptrDller's Office a rather af
fecting scene was enacted yesterday.
About O'Clock in the afternoon John ID.
Mccall told Col. Swain to 90 in his Office
and sit down, as he was 'going to be tried
by court martial The clerks then all
gathered around, and a beautiful book
case with large glass doors was brought
TO light, with the following inscription on
silver plate attached to it: "Presented
by the clerks in the comptroller's Office to
their honored and loved chief, Hon. VIM.
j. Swain, on his retirement from office,
January 18th, 1887"
The following presentation speech was
made by Mr.. r. w. Finley, who acquitted
himself finely:
Col. Swain: 1t has fallen to my lot to
be spokesman for my associates in the
office on this occasion, and while esteem
the privilege, may have acted hastily. if
not unwisely, by not yielding this honor
co another from our ranks, for feel thai
words at my command are inadequate to
express appropriately the sentiments of
these gentlemen as well as of myself upon
| this our separation in an official capacity.
This occasion is MT the result of senti
ment alone, for we rejoice that we have
been enriched by your acquaintance, coun-
sci and example.
| You are about to retire from the SER
vice Of the state as her honored comp
troller. We have laid aside business for
the me- ment, and have gathered around
you for the purpose of assuring you here
in body of the high esteem in which you
are held by those who have been your
humble assistants (most of us during
your entire administration in conduct
ing the vast volume of business that nee
essarily flows through this department
the very substratu.-i of the government of
the great state of Texas.
beg to assure you that the official re-
lations that have existed between us have
peen of such character that will only
leave pleasant recollections of the man
ner in which you have directed the many
arduous duties of this department. The
burden has been made light
by the uniform courtesy which
you have extended to the entire
force of the Office. You have been firm
in your rulings and demanded faithful